Have you ever played ‘Hangman’?
It’s a simple word game where you think of a word and the other person guesses the correct answer. For every wrong guess, you draw one line of the hangman.
Objective is to complete the word before the hangman gets made.
The beauty of this game is that it can be adjusted according to the audience.
I’ve used this game regularly in class and it was a hit.
Playing games can be a good way to connect with the children, teach them some essential values while also indulging in some fun.
The current video games are no less productive or educative if used properly as they take the learning experience to a new level.
The ill-fame it has is because of the extreme cases which often get highlighted where the child is so taken in that they spend hours playing, living in a parallel world.
But if done right, video games can become powerful tool for teaching your child essential life skills.
The Positive Side of Gaming
The mention of video games, and the image that comes to mind, is a dark room with the child sitting with the console or laptop, mindlessly punching the keyboard and totally immersed in the game.
And it is rightly seen as something harmful to children, leading them to become lazy, isolated, socially detached or inept.
But there is another side which is often ignored.
The secret is in transforming every prospect into an advantage, a learning opportunity without making it boring.
Gaming builds the teens ability to work as a team, cooperate and coordinate. It teaches them to rely on one another, strategise and work in tandem.
There are researches that show that gaming helps and cognitive development, improves problem solving and social skills among children.
Games like Overwatch and Minecraft are multiplayer games which require the players to collaborate to achieve the goals. They not only teach teamwork and planning but also encourage social interaction.
Key Teamwork Skills Enhanced by Gaming
These are just some of the skills they develop when gaming online.
1. Strategic planning.
Games come with their own rules and objectives. The teams have to plan their moves to ensure they move ahead and succeed. This requires them to think ahead, work with their options, review this situation and make collective decisions leading to success. Like, in Minecraft, they learn to share resources and work together on projects.
2. Communication
This is the key to succeed anywhere, including in the gaming world. In games like Among Us or League of Nations, players need to be clear in their communication, be it conveying something or actively listening to what’s being said or exchanged.
It focuses on building clear, concise communication skills to succeed.
3. Role distribution
Each character has a role to play, contributing their unique strengths to the game. Through these games, children learn the value of others, learn to understand and respect each person, and not ignore anyone (for it may cost points!).
They learn about mutual respect.
4. Problem solving and conflict resolution
Each level comes with its own set of challenges and problems. And they’ve to overcome them to move ahead. This builds their creative and cognitive thinking, exploring alternatives, working within time constraints.
This is how they learn to handle pressure and deal with conflicts constructively.
Guidance for Parents and Educators
Gaming is not a bad hobby if done consciously and within limits. Overdoing it can, of course, lead to unpleasant consequences.
Children will develop skills even without knowing of it. What parents can do is build awareness around it. It’s needed for both parties – parents and children.
- Choosing the right games:
Be sure to select age appropriate games. Set some ground rules before they’re allowed to play, like time limits and finishing school work.
Focus on teamwork and collaboration, not competition and winning.
Set constructive objectives to encourage positive vibes.
2. Reflect and discuss:
Discuss the game with them. How did it go? What could the team have done differently? What strategies worked? Where did you lose points?
All these questions will help them to review their decisions and think about them. Reflecting will help them assess their strengths and shortcomings, drawing focus to skills that are wanting.
3. Set clear boundaries:
Be clear about setting time limits. Balancing screen time is essential or the lure of the game will keep them stuck to the screen for hours.
Encourage offline and physical activities to create a balance. They can also play board games like Scotland Yard, or team sports or engage in group activities like theatre and debate clubs.
Conclusion: Reframing the View on Gaming
The next time you see your child play on the video game, don’t just lose your cool and reprimand them for wasting time. Focus on which game that they are playing, and with whom.
Gaming together is teaching your child strategic planning, communication, teamwork, problem solving; skills which will prepare them for the real world beyond the home.
Provide them the right guidance and use these gaming sessions as meaningful tools for building relationship and personal growth.
Why not join them in one of the sessions, either as a teammate or an opponent? You may discover a lot more about your child than you know. Embracing the positives of gaming, you become their ally rather than an enemy.
So, instead of dismissing gaming as a waste of time, see it as an opportunity for their growth. Join them and play along to make learning the life skills a fun experience.
